One thing many people do not realize when they get married, is that they marry the whole family of the person they love. We marry their problems, we marry their joys, we marry their humor & so on. Even if their is an estrangement, whether temporary or permanent, we marry that too. You battle together, you grieve together, you celebrate together, you love together.

When I married into Andy’s family of 5 brothers, I didn’t know how much that would change my life. I was used to having just 1 sister Tiffany & we were very close. Then when I was a teenager my 3-step brothers came into the picture. They were wild, loud & obnoxiously funny. My step-dad would always say “boys will be boys” & other sayings about how different boys were from girls therefore they were “aloud” to get away with much more than us girls too :PHowever when I met the Todd boys they were nothing like how Scott, my step-dad, had stereotyped guys as (if I’m being honest, most guys I met were nothing like my rowdy step-brothers -the 2 older ones anyways- lol). I love my step-brothers but to those who know them & they will also admit, they were wild. haha Anyways, these Todd boys were onrey at times, funny as all get out & loved each other with a brotherly bond that nothing could break. Sure they have gotten on each other’s nerves & lead different lives but when these guys get together it’s always a good time.

There’s ALWAYS a story time, usually led by my husband Andy & no matter how many times you’ve heard these stories (I can now tell a few of them more accurately than Andy (his memory slips here & there… those who know him are probably laughing right about now haha), that’s how many times I’ve heard them lol)... but like I was saying, no matter the times you’ve heard them they are still funny. The best one’s though, are the one’s where his mom discovers the truth about a situation or story she was told when they were younger. Her eyes get big & wide, her mouth usually drops to the floor & then she & the rest of us burst out in a loud gargantuan mix of laughter. When we first got married I struggled to not have any new “sisters” around. My only sister-in-law lived in Tx so we don’t really get a chance to go do girl things or have girly understandings of all these crazy Todd boys. Heck I’m not sure either of us would even want to do that though because we both love them like our own brothers. She was lucky enough to see a lot of them grow up, as her & Chris (Andy’s oldest brother) have dated since high school.

A goofy photo at David's graduation and going away party... I was a little late on the goofy pose, oops haha.

David trying on tuxes for our wedding.

Our best man (David) & our maid-of-honor (Tiffany) being goofy one night... they did a dance party, picture poses & muscle madness this night to entertain us haha.

She even helped facilitate the famous “Todd Brothers Sumo Wrestling” video I was told about for the first 8 years of our relationship in which I was oh-so-fortunate to watch this past Thanksgiving. (Let’s just say I’m glad it took this long to let me see all of the Todd ??? (I’m at a total loss for words here… strangeness?, uniqueness?, shananigans?... it was an interesting video to say the least lol). It does explain some of their bond though… they can dress up with stuffed clothes & smash each other while grunting & laughing & not think a thing of it. And then there’s David who proudly dressed up as Richard Simmons & led them all in an 80s cardio routine. Voice & all. Every older brother proudly followed his lead. :D Andy, Tom & their youngest brother Josh were missing from this escapade of hilarity but it still represented so much that I love about this family.

Most families would’ve never told stories about this let alone show the video but they did because it represented a time of joy for them no matter what they looked like, said or did. They love to reminisce whether through stories or videos & I appreciate that so much about them… it’s probably one reason I fit in so well because those close to me know I do this all the time & love to hear others share as well!… it helps one to respect the past, look forward to the future & appreciate the present for the gift that it is.

David & Andy on a trip to OKC, here at the OKC bombing memorial

A lot of this blog will be about reminiscent moments and/or featuring special people in my/our life. I’ve been honored many a times to give my last gift to someone who has passed away via written & spoken words at funerals & such but I much more prefer to share how I feel about those I love while they are still here on earth. I try to do that via cards, letters, texts, FB shout-outs, etc. and today on my blog I’d like to honor another person, one of the Todd brothers, that has greatly impacted Andy & I’s life, individually & as a couple...

David. This is Andy’s youngest Todd brother & although he’s the youngest, he’s led many of us in different ways in life… whether while doing a Richard Simmons workout or drawing us closer to Christ. He has been an excellently, hard worker for Andy since he was a teenager. He became one of my best friends & prayer partners during the most difficult season in my life. No matter the hour, usually past midnight, he & I would chat on FB about everything under the sun & would pray with each other through some pretty heavy stuff. He became our roommate for a season… ok he’s been everybody’s roommate for a night or two I think, as he lived like a nomad for a while but he actually planted himself at our place for a stint. And... he still loves us. He’d see me be particular about things & listen to Andy & I go back & forth but didn’t bat an eyelash or look at us differently. I honestly don’t know how ha. This kid became my little brother as if he had always been.

David we are so proud of you & love you very much! Thank you for all the times Andy & I could come to you & you prayed for us. Thanks for sitting with my mom & Andy during my 9-hour surgery… I’ll never forget seeing you there when I was so sick & could barely lift my head & how upset I was that I didn’t get to thank you that night because I was sick for so many hours after. Things like this say so much about you! Thanks for not playing football again even though it hurt so much not to & also for not ripping my head off when I told the doctors the truth that day in the ER with you! Thanks for being one of my best friends, prayer warriors & little brother! We are here for you like you’ve always been here for the both of us! Don’t stay away too long but enjoy your new locale to the fullest & have a great birthday celebrating with Jenna!

Andy, Joe & David Todd played football together on our semi-pro football team.

For the rest of you… who has made a difference in your life via marriage? Have you told them? Feel free to share with me or better yet take a few mins to share it with them! Come back here & share it with us if you wish! Thanks for letting me share a little bit about this crazy family of mine!